Age Spots in Los Altos, CA

Mittelman Plastic Surgery, led by board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Harry Mittelman, MD, and located in Los Altos, is proud to offer IPL® Photorejuvenation treatment as an effective solution for age spots and other cosmetic skin conditions. If you live in or around San Jose, Palo Alto, and the surrounding communities, you can entrust your care to Dr. Mittelman for radiant, more youthful looking skin!

What are Age Spots?

Age spots, or liver spots, are areas of over-pigmentation of the skin. They appear brown, black or yellow in color and are usually found on the neck, hands and face, as well as other parts of the body that have been regularly exposed to the sun. Age spots are non-dimensional and primarily caused by UV damage. They are coined ‘age spots’ due to the fact that they usually begin appearing around age 40 onward as the skin begins to show signs of the natural aging process and past damage from prolonged sun exposure. The presence of age spots is not medically dangerous in any way. However, many men and women seek cosmetic treatment as a way to reduce their appearance in an effort to look younger.

How Does Skin Age?

The natural aging process and its side effects cannot be fully avoided, but the outward physical signs can be minimized. The key to doing so is in knowing the specific needs of aging skin and the changes it goes through. Specifically, there are two types of changes within the aging process – intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic aging involves the inevitable physical changes that accompany growing older. For example, as we age, our skin becomes thinner, drier and less stretchy as a result of the diminished production of collagen in the skin. Skin that used to look tight and full now starts to sag. As a result, fine lines, wrinkles, and creases become prominent. The rate at which the skin undergoes these changes is genetically predetermined for each person, however, such changes often start to become noticeable between the ages of 30 and 35.

Extrinsic aging involves exposure to the environment and the large role such exposure plays on a person’s physical appearance. Many signs of extrinsic aging can be attributed to exposure to the sun and its ability to cause a person to look older than their biological age. This is accomplished through photoaging of the skin where collagen and elastin are lost and not replaced, causing an increase in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also causes changes in pigmentation, with the development of freckles, age spots, and uneven skin tone. Another sign of photoaging is the appearance of spider veins and other capillary changes.

A person’s choices and habits can also have an impact on extrinsic aging. Cigarette smoking and UV tanning significantly contribute to the breakdown of elastin and collagen in the skin, as well as pose a major impairment to the body’s natural healing abilities.

The easiest way to observe the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic aging is to compare the areas of the body which are commonly exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, and neck to those areas of skin not often exposed to the sun, such as that on the breasts, inner arms and buttocks.

Photorejuvenation with IPL® is the most versatile of all cosmetic skin treatments with its ability to treat numerous skin conditions at once. It is effective on a wide range of visible skin concerns, from redness to age spots and freckles, to wrinkles and other signs of aging. IPL® can be used on the neck, chest and hands, which tend to be the areas of the body which receive the most sun exposure.

Preparing for Age Spot Treatment via IPL® Photofacial

During a one-on-one consultation, Dr. Mittelman will determine which IPL® treatment plan is right for you, taking into consideration the number of skin concerns, their severity, and your personal skin type. An average of four to six separate treatment sessions is recommended, with each session scheduled at three-week intervals. The typical IPL® session usually takes around 20 minutes. You are able to return to work and other normal daily activities immediately following your appointment. Quite a few patients find it convenient to schedule their IPL® treatments during their lunch hour. IPL® treatments provide gradual results for natural-looking improvement and long-lasting effects.

Age Spot Treatment via IPL® Photofacial

Before treatment begins, a cold gel is applied to the treatment areas, and you will be given protective eyewear to wear during the procedure. Dr. Mittelman or another trained staff member then gently applies the smooth, glassy surface of the IPL®handpiece to your skin. This handpiece transmits precise pulses of light to the skin’s surface to address the pigmentation or other skin concern. There is no pain associated with this process. Occasionally, some redness at the treatment site may result and can last for one to two hours following the treatment. In most cases, the entire face is treated, but the therapy can be utilized on the neck, chest and hands. Results can be expected to last for one year or more from completion of your treatment series.

How Much Does Age Spot Treatment Cost In San Jose, CA?

The cost of age spot treatment varies based upon the extent of your procedure and your current skin condition. Feel free to discuss financing options in order to make your treatment more affordable.

Harry Mittelman, MD, is recognized as a pioneer in facial plastic surgery. As a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, specializing in both surgical and non-surgical or non-invasive cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery procedures, Dr. Mittelman provides his patients with exceptional skills and results that last. For more information on treatment for age spots or to schedule a private consultation at Dr. Mittelman’s office, please contact us today.We serve the entire Southbay and Bay Area including Los Altos, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Redwood City, Mountain View, San Mateo, San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale and the surrounding areas.